Spark regulator for restoring normal ignition to fouled spark plugs



June 26, 11923. 11,46Q22'7;

J. COURTIEIR ET AL SPARK REGULATOR FOR RESTORING NORMAL IGNITION TO FOULED SPARK PLUGS Filed Oct. 1-? 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fngfi.

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June 26, E923.

' J. COURTIIER ET AL SPARK REGULATOR FOR RESTORING NORMAL IGNITION TO FOULED SPARK PLUGS Filed Oct. 16

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earner entree J'ULES GOUBTIEB AND PIERRE COURTIER, OF PARIS, FRANCE; SAID PIERRE GUURTIEE ASSIGNOR T SAID JULIES COUBTIER.

SPARK REGULATOR FOB BESTORING NORMAL IGNITION T0 FGULED SPAFIK'PLUGS.

Application filed October 16, 1917. Serial No. 196,944.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J ULES Coun'rinn and PIERRE COURTIER, two citizens of the Republic of France, and residents of Paris,

a France, have invented a new and useful Spark Regulator for Restoring Normal Ignition to Fouled Spark Plugs (for which we have filed an application in France on October 7, 1916), which regulator is fully 1 set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to attachments for internal combustion engines, by means of which it is possible, without stopping or modifying the running of the engine, to re- 1 store to the fouled spark plugs the normal ignition spark which had ceased to appear, and to automatically clean the said plugs, these results being obtained by producing, at any desired point of the electric circuit', one or more ,sparks at break, the total length of which may be regulated degree by degree in each case. Regulation of the spark at break is an essential condition of a perfect restablish- I ment of an efiicaeious ignition spark in each individual case of sootmg of the plugs, for the useful spark at break must be a function of a number of conditions varying from case to case: construction of and distance so between the points of the plug, nature and degree of its sooting, tension of the magneto, compression in the cylinders, mixture of ases, atmospheric state, etc.

ur regulating device can be used even at when all the plugs of an engine Work in a normal manner, to modify the spark of the plugs for the purpose of obtaining a better ignition of the gaseous mixtures, namely for a better picking up and slow running of the an en ines.

his regulation is obtained in practice by varying the length of the spark at break by means of two contacts which are degree by degree moved away from each other, by distances which can be measured in each case, either by direct gradual movement. apart, or by interposition between them of additional contacts. 1

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying our invention; parts being shown in section,

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly diagrammatlc, of a second form of the invenion,

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section through a third form of apparatus, embodying the invention, a

F igureA is a side elevation of a fourth form of apparatus,

Figure 5 is a similar view of a fifth form of apparatus,

Figure 6 is a similar view of a sixth form of apparatus,

Figure 7 is a partly diagrammatic view, :hotwmg a spiral arrangement of spaced conac s, Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view, showmg the apparatus of Figure 1 in circuit,

F1gure 9 is a central vertical longitudinal section through apparatus embodying the invention, used in connection with a magneto,

Figure 10 is a front-side elevation of a contact carrying disk, and,

Figure 11 1s a rear side elevation of the same. 1

Attention being called first to Figure 1, the numeral 5 designates a support, carrying a sleeve 6, within which is mounted to reciprocate a contact rod 7. A head 8 has screw threaded engagement with the upper end of the sleeve 6', and is provided with an inclined or spiral flange 9, having teeth 10. These teeth are adapted to engage with a rod' or pin 11, rigidly secured to the contact rod 7. The contact rod 7 is urged downwardly by a spring 12, as shown. The contact rod 7 is turned by ahandle 13, formed of insulating material, and secured to its upper end.

At its lower end, the contact rod 7 carries a contact point '14, for movement into and out of engagement with a stationary con tact 15, carried by a support 16. A terminal 17 has electrical connection with the contact rod 7, and a terminal 18 has electrical connection with the stationary contact 15. In practice, the terminals 17 and 18 are connected in series within the wire or circuit which leads to the spark plug.

When the rod 7 is moved away from the contact 15, the break spark appears between the contact point 14 of the rod 7 and the stationary contact 15. The rod 7 and consequently the contact 14 are operated byshifting the projection 11 along the teeth or notches 10 of the, inclined or spiral surface 9, for the purpose of increasing or reducing degree by degree the length of the spark appearing between the contacts 14 and 15.

To a given distance between the said contacts, producing a suitable spark, will correspond an efiicient and constant ignition spark at the points of the plug in the cylinder, the resumption of regular working being-ascertained by hearing or by an'examination of the revolution-counter.

The projection 11 is then maintained in the proper notch and, at the expiration of a few minutes, the contacts 14 and 15 are again brought together. It will be seen that the engine continues to work correctly, which will show that the plug has been cleaned, as will be possible to ascertain by removing it out when the engine is stopped. In Figure 2 we have shown a plurality of spaced stationary contacts 19, insulated from each other. Arranged above the contacts 19 are vertically movable contacts 20, adapted to be moved into and out of contact with the stationary contacts 19. v

Each stationary contact 19, excepting the last contact 19 to the right, has electrical connection with the succeeding vertically movable contact 20, by means of a wire 21, as shown. The first contact 20' to the left is connected with a terminal 22, and the last contact 19 to the right has connection with a terminal 23, these terminals being connected in series with the circuit/of the spark plug. Any suitable means may be employed to vertically adjust the contacts 20.

In Figure 3, we have shownan apparatus comprising a vertical row of spaced con tacts 24, providing sparkinggaps 25 between them, such contacts being insulated fromeach other. A stop contact 26 is arranged at and beneath the lowermost contact 24. A vertically movable contact 27 is arranged to travel in proximity to the contacts 24, and when in the lowermost position, it contacts with the stop contact 26.

The movable contact 27 has electrical connection with a terminal 28, and a terminal 29 is connected with the stopcontact, 26, these terminals being connected in series in the circuit of the spark plug.

In Figure 4, the numeral 30 designates a swinging contact, carried by a rod 31, having a handle 32. The rod 31 is pivoted at 33, and has connection with a terminal 34. The numeral 35 designates a stationary contact, arranged outwardly of and near the contact 30. The stationary contact 35 is longitudinally curved and is excentric with relation to the path of travel of the contact 30, the distance between the same aduall increasing notch by notch (not s own in ig. 4) to the left. A terminal 36 is secured to one end of the stationary con tact 35, the terminals 34 and 36 being adapted to be connected in series with the circuit of the spark plug.

In case of misfire, the handle 32 is operated. The contact 30 is then moved away from contact 35, which produces between said contacts 35 and 30 a spark of a length increasing degree by degree as contact 30.

moves away from contact 35.

The arcuate movement of the contact 30 is stopped at the point at which a spark of suitable length reestablishes correct ignition in the cylinder.

In Figure 5, the numeral 37 designates a swlnging contact, carried by a rod 38,

pivoted at 39. The rod 38 is moved by a handle 40. The numeral 41 designates a stop contact, and 42 is a similar stop contact. Between these stop contacts is a curved group of stationary contacts 43, the several contacts being spaced slightly apart to provide gaps 44, as shown. The swinging contact 37 is adapted to thoroughly engage the stop contact 41, and when advanced to the left, sparks will be produced across the gap or gaps 44, and the gap 45 between .the rod 53, pivoted at 54, and swung by a handle 55. A terminal 56 has electrical connection with the end contact 49, and a terminal. 57 has electrical connection with the rod 53, these terminals beingconnected in series with a wire or circuit leading to the spark plug. The operation of, this form of the device is similar to that shown in Figure 5.. v

In Figure 7, spaced contacts 56 are carried by a spiral support 57, which may be formed of insulating material. One and contact 56 has connection with a wire 58, this wire 58 being also connected with a sliding contact 59, adapted to successively engage the contacts 56. The wire 58 is connected with the spark plug.

In Figure 8, the numerals 60 and 61 designate the electrodes of a spark plug, providing a sparking gap 62. The device shown in Figure 1 is represented in Figure 8 as connected with the spark plug. The terminal 17, is connected with a wire 63. This wire has one end thereof connected with the electrode 61. The other ortion of the wire 63 is connected with e contact 15,

and with one pole of the magneto 64. The opposite pole of this magneto is connected with a wire- 65, connected. with the electrode 60.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11, showing an arrangement of the device in the interior of a magneto, the numeral 74: designates a rotatable shaft, turned by a crank'7 5. A disk 76 of insulating material is rotatable with the shaft 74., and carries a spring. pressed contact 77, having electrical connection with a wire 78. This wire has electrical connection at 79 with the brush 80 of the collector of the magneto 81. The shaft 74 extends through a stationary insulatin sleeve 81', and a stationary insulating lsk 82. The insulating disk 82 carries a series of transverse pins 83, provided upon their forward ends with contacts 84, arranged to cooperate with the swinging contact 77. Contacts 85 are secured to the rear ends of the pins 83, and are spaced to provide gaps 86, forming the sparks. A wire 87 is secured to the end contact 85 and leads to the central contact 88 of the distributor. When the device is at rest, contact 77 engages the first contact 84, to the left in Figure 10. By advancing the contact 77 to the right, Figure 10, the sparks are produced at the successive gaps 86. When the number of conjugated sparks in series is sufiicient, correct ignition is restored in, the cylinder. 7

In motor cars, aeroplanes, airships or motor boats etc., the device will be placed under the eyes and within reach of the driver or pilot, who will be able to operate it without moving from his seat, during the running of the vehicle whatever it be; or controls of any suitable nature will enable him to effect this regulation from a distance.

It is to be understood that the forms of .our invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of our invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is:

1. A spark regulator of the character described comprising, a plurality of spaced stationary contacts providing sparking gaps therebetween, a movable contact adapted to travel by steps in proximit to the stationary contacts to form a spark gap with any selected one of the stationary contacts, and terminals connected with the movable contact and'one of the end stationary contacts.

2. A spark regulator of the character de scribed comprising a. curved group of stationary contacts providing sparking gaps therebetween, a pivoted support, a contact carried by the support and traveling with said support in proximity to the stationary contacts to form a spark gap of progressively variable length, and-terminals secured to one stationary contact and the support.

3. A spark regulator of the'character described, comprising a plurality of spaced stationary contacts providing sparking gaps therebetween, a movable contact adapted to travel in proximity to the stationary contacts to form aspark gap with a selected stationary contact, and terminals connected with the first stationary contact and the movable contact. i

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J ULES COURTIER. PIERRE COURTIER.

Witnesses:

EMILE Lnnnryr, CHAS. P. PRESSLY. 

